Kangaroo skin bed rug. Made of ten sections of red kangaroo winter-weight skins. Sections are joined by five diamond shaped sections which run down the centre of the rug. Skins are attached to a brown felt backing by a thong, hand-stitched through the felt, and decorative ribbon that conceals the hand stitching. The label 'Product of Hermannsburg Mission Central Australia' is sewn on the
back. Skins 1170 x 1400mm; felt 1530 x 1250mm
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Much of the history of the Hermannsburg Mission is well known. It was the home of Albert Namatjira, and a collection of his paintings remain there. The Lutheran Mission no longer exists there. (I do not know when it formally ceased and the property was handed over to the traditional owners), but Hermannsburg continues as an Aboriginal settlement where the handwork of the women of the community is known through its pottery (recognised world-wide), and silk painting. The tannery no longer exists (I do not know when it closed). I visited Hermannsburg again in 1997 and saw some of the women of the community and purchased two lovely pots. I also visited the silk painting workshop in the community centre. I subsequently arranged for a visit by representatives of the community to the Royal Easter Show (where I was then a manager), where they had a stand and demonstrated and sold silk scarves, plus a selection of small pots. Also, I recently had the kangaroo skin rug examined by a Government Valuer, Sue-Ann Smiles. In her report she wrote: â These rugs are of historical importance; they represent a shared cultural background. A traditional aboriginal hand-stitched skin rug with European patchwork elements in design and backed with felt, another European influence. They also represent a document of work being produced at the Hermannsburg Mission at that time; part of indigenous history.' (E. Blunden 7/11/05)
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